I don’t know if this topic has been raised here before but if, please forgive my ignorance.

What is it with people painting over route grades leaving only the names at the base of routes.
To me, writing the name and grade at some SPORT crags seem pretty reasonable and helpful. I’ve been told that it is done to force people into buying published guides like at Boven. But Bronkies? Could it ever be big enough to justify a published guide?

I think that it looks ugly and is perhaps a bit petty

All respect and gratitude to crag finders. And I would have bought a Boven guide even if all the route grades were still on the rock. It is a splendid guide and Gus has done lots for the sport.